Is I Care A Lot Based on a True Story or Not? Ending Explained
by Rubaditsha
Updated May 03, 2023
Is I Care a Lot based on a True Story?
The movie "I Care A Lot" is entirely fictional and not based on a true story. The character Marla Grayson is not a real person, and the plotlines are entirely made up. However, the premise behind Marla's guardianship scam was partially inspired by real-life news stories about shady guardians who exploit their wards.
J Blakeson, the writer and director of the film, was horrified when he saw news stories about real-life predatory guardians who game the system and exploit their wards. He was particularly struck by the idea of a stranger suddenly having total legal power over someone. This idea terrified him and seemed very relevant to explore in the film. He was interested in exploring themes such as the power of authority, people vs. profit, control vs. freedom, and humanity vs. bureaucracy.
Blakeson did extensive research on professional guardians in America and read many news stories about the terrible things that so many of them were doing. He was particularly interested in the legal loopholes that allowed them to carry out their actions.
This research provided him with many themes that interested him, such as ambition, the American Dream, and humans becoming commodities. Blakeson wrote the script for "I Care A Lot" on his own, and it quickly formed into the movie we see today.
If you are interested in learning more about the guardianship phenomenon, you can read Rachel Aviv's 2017 essay in the New Yorker titled "How the Elderly Lose Their Rights." This essay is an excellent read and no doubt inspired many elements of Blakeson's script.
I Care a Lot Ending Explained
The article explores the ending of the Netflix movie, I Care a Lot, which follows the story of a court-appointed legal guardian, Marla Grayson, who defrauds elderly people for a living. Marla's life is threatened when she mistakenly takes the wrong woman into her custody, leading to a confrontation with the woman's son, a Russian mafia boss named Roman Lunyov.
Throughout the movie, the two antiheroes face off against each other, with neither of them willing to back down. In the end, Marla kidnaps Roman, strips him of his identification, drugs him, and leaves him for dead, making it clear that money is worth dying for.
Marla's new partner, Roman, then proposes that the two become business partners, building an empire of old-folks homes filled with elderly people to defraud. The film ends with a hazy montage displaying Marla's newfound success, but she is ultimately killed by a man whose mother Marla prevented from seeing.
The movie's final shot shows Marla's interview on television, revealing that even in death, Marla's legacy lives on, and for people like her, money is worth dying for. The article argues that the ending of the movie has a moralistic outlook, teaching the audience that greed and immoral behavior do not lead to a happy ending.
I Care a Lot What happens to Marla?
Marla is a character in the movie "I Care a Lot". She is a professional legal guardian who takes advantage of elderly people by exploiting their wealth and assets. Marla is portrayed as a cunning and ruthless character who will stop at nothing to get what she wants, even if it means harming others.
While it is natural to feel invested in the outcome of a story and the fate of its characters, it is important to keep in mind that Marla's actions are not morally justifiable. Exploiting vulnerable people, regardless of their age or status, is wrong and has serious consequences. In the context of the movie, Marla's actions eventually catch up with her, and she faces the repercussions of her unethical behavior.
It is worth noting that while Marla is a fictional character, the issue of elder abuse and financial exploitation is a real and serious problem that affects many people in real life. It is important to be aware of the signs of elder abuse and to report any concerns to the appropriate authorities. Additionally, supporting organizations that work to prevent elder abuse and protect vulnerable individuals can help make a difference in the lives of those who are at risk.
I Care a Lot Plot
Marla Grayson makes a living by convincing the legal system to grant her guardianship over elders who she claims cannot take care of themselves. She then places them in an assisted living facility where they are sedated and isolated from the outside world, before selling off their homes and assets for her own profit. When Mr. Feldstrom tries to force his way into one of these facilities to see his mother, Marla and the court deny him access. Feldstrom later threatens Marla outside the courthouse.
Marla is approached by Dr. Karen Amos about a potential case involving a wealthy retiree named Jennifer Peterson, who has no close family. Marla and Dr. Amos falsely testify that Jennifer suffers from dementia, confusion, and loss of mobility to obtain guardianship over her.
Marla immediately begins selling off Jennifer's assets and discovers a safe deposit box containing valuable items. Jennifer's son, Roman Lunyov, a crime lord, eventually discovers what Marla has done and sends his associates to try and retrieve Jennifer.
Mafia lawyer Dean Ericson offers Marla $150,000 to release Jennifer, but she refuses, demanding $5 million instead. Ericson takes Marla to court, but the judge dismisses the case. Fran discovers that Jennifer Peterson is an identity stolen from a deceased infant and that Jennifer is not her real name. Marla and property manager Sam Rice begin to withdraw many of Jennifer's basic needs, leading to Roman sending three thugs to take her.
Marla helps the police apprehend one of the men, Alexi, who is revealed to be Roman's son. Marla and Fran move into an unsold property of a previous victim after hearing that Roman has had Dr. Amos killed. Jennifer attacks Marla when she visits her in the facility and is moved to a psychiatric ward. Marla and Fran are then kidnapped, but Marla manages to escape and returns home to find Fran beaten unconscious.
Marla offers Fran a choice: they can use the diamonds she has hidden away to start a new life or seek revenge. They track down Roman, kidnap him, force drugs into his body, burn his car, and leave him on a forest trail. He is discovered high on drugs and with no identification.
A judge designates him a "John Doe" and appoints Marla as his legal guardian. Marla visits Roman and offers to release him and Jennifer from her guardianship for $10 million. Instead, Roman offers her a partnership in a global business based on her scam.
Marla accepts and becomes a powerful and wealthy CEO. Roman is reunited with Jennifer, and Marla marries Fran. During a TV interview, Marla is shot by Feldstrom, who is then arrested. Fran holds Marla as she dies, and Roman and Jennifer watch from afar.
Is I Care a Lot based on a True Story: FAQs
No, the movie "I Care A Lot" is entirely fictional and not based on a true story.
The premise behind Marla's guardianship scam was partially inspired by real-life news stories about shady guardians who exploit their wards. The writer and director of the film, J Blakeson, was interested in exploring themes such as the power of authority, people vs. profit, control vs. freedom, and humanity vs. bureaucracy.
The ending of the movie shows Marla's newfound success as she builds an empire of old-folks homes filled with elderly people to defraud with her new partner, Roman. However, Marla is ultimately killed by a man whose mother Marla prevented from seeing, revealing that even in death, Marla's legacy lives on, and for people like her, money is worth dying for.
Marla faces the repercussions of her unethical behavior as her actions eventually catch up with her. It is worth noting that while Marla is a fictional character, the issue of elder abuse and financial exploitation is a real and serious problem that affects many people in real life.